Buffalo Bills News - April 4, 2003

Lacina may head back to Buffalo [10:21 AM]St. Paul Pioneer Press reports:
'"It's a business and I'm prepared to move on," Lacina said. "Buffalo would be a great situation. I'd like to finish where I started."'

Schedule presents Bills a grueling stretch [8:56 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'The good news is the Bills play their opener at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The bad news last season was the Patriots whipped the Bills, 38-7, in Buffalo and, 27-17, in Foxboro, Mass. Had the Bills won both of those games, they would have made the playoffs.'

A Sunday kind of team [5:17 AM]D and C reports:
'But while players and coaches -- who view playing on MNF as prestigious and fun -- may take that as a slight, the Bills marketing department openly welcomes Sunday games starting at 1 p.m. That’s because it’s much easier for fans from Rochester, the Southern Tier and Canada -- about 40 percent of the attendance at Ralph Wilson Stadium -- to make the round-trip drive.'

April 3, 2003

Bills to open and close against Patriots [4:20 PM]AP reports:
'The Bills, coming off an 8-8 season, will play 11 games against teams that were .500 or better last year and the schedule includes six games against 2002 playoff teams. Three of the final four games will be against AFC East opponents.'

Bills Announce 2003 Schedule [1:23 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'The schedule features two nationally televised Sunday night games on ESPN - September 21 at Miami and October 26 at Kansas City. Those two contests kick off at 8:30 PM (ET).'

New 'D' stands for destructive [5:20 AM]D and C reports:
'“You’ve got to be pleased with what we’ve done so far,” said Gray, who has endured two long seasons under severe salary cap constraints. “We filled some needs -- a big run stopper, a more active (weak-side) linebacker, a good (strong-side) linebacker and we’ve got some competition back there at safety. Even without the draft, we’ve got competition on the team and that’s going to make everyone better.”'

April 2, 2003

Alumni Spotlight: Marty Schottenheimer [3:59 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
Even as an All-America linebacker at the University of Pittsburgh, Marty Schottenheimer used strategy to help determine his outcome on the field. Little did he know then that would be a sign of things to come.

2003 Buffalo Bills Draft Central [10:33 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
If there is one reason the Buffalo Bills have maintained their competitive position in the AFC despite the rapid turnover of personnel in the NFL, it’s their picks in the NFL draft. The Bills’ 2002 final roster contained 26 of their draft picks. Twelve of those players started in 2002.

Sanders' decision expected this month [9:48 AM]Baltimore Sun reports:
'"They gave [Gash] an opportunity to be a full-time starter," Ravens coach Brian Billick said. "Sam knew what his role here was. We very much would have liked to have Sam back, but we wanted to give him the opportunity to see if there was anybody out there that wanted to approach him about being a full-time starter. It's going home for him as well. I hate to lose Sam, but those are excellent circumstances."'

April 1, 2003

A Notch Above: Sharing A Special Bond [4:36 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'Army Staff Sergeant Norbert Reed, 28, is somewhere in the Middle East. Where exactly his family doesn't even know, claiming that they haven't been in contact with him much since the fighting began. And somewhere over there, in the Persian Gulf, is Navyman Damian Jolivette, 19, Josh's cousin who he declares is more like a little brother.'

Rian Lindell [12:36 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
There's no player on Buffalo's roster-not Sam Adams, not Takeo Spikes, nor anyone else-who is more likely to single-handedly (or single-footedly, in this case) win a football game in one play. Now that we know sudden-death overtime is going to remain the rule in the NFL, that's even more true. This week, Tim O'Shei looks at Rian Lindell.

Gash's return adds depth to Bills' roster [9:01 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'While Gash has played 11 seasons in the NFL, he should come to Buffalo refreshed. He saw very limited duty last season with Baltimore, as the Ravens decided to develop second-year man Alan Ricard as their blocking fullback. Gash played mostly on the kickoff return team. He did not have a carry.'

Fullback Gash returns to Bills after three-year hiatus [5:28 AM]D and C reports:
'While the Bills like young fullback Phillip Crosby, Gash, 34, is a proven commodity as a blocker, and with 11 years’ experience, the last three spent with the Baltimore Ravens, he replaces some of the leadership that was lost by letting go Centers and linebacker Eddie Robinson.'

Bills agree to terms with free agent FB Gash [5:27 AM]Sportsticker reports:
'Gash gives the Bills one of the NFL's best blocking fullbacks. They had lacked that the last two seasons with pass-catching fullback Larry Centers, who was released last month.'

March 31, 2003

Ralph Wilson Awarded Seymour Knox III Award [9:53 PM]WBEN-AM reports:
The SHK III Humanitarian of the Year Award is made to give public recognition and honor to persons for meritorious achievement contributing to the betterment of the Western New York/Niagara Frontier community.'

FBs switching teams with great frequency [9:51 PM]ESPN reports:
'Gash should be a tremendous escort for emerging Buffalo tailback Travis Henry, who rushed for 1,438 yards in 2002. While he is not as effective a receiver as Centers, it likely won't matter much if Gilbride keeps the same design he used last season.'

FB Gash agrees to deal with Bills [9:37 PM]AP reports:
'Gash, who won a Super Bowl ring with the 2000 Ravens, provides the Bills a big-bodied backfield blocker, something they lacked the past two seasons in pass-catching fullback Larry Centers. The Bills released Centers partly because the team wanted to complement its Drew Bledsoe-led passing attack with a ground game built around running back Travis Henry.'

Bills Agree With Sam Gash [6:18 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
The Bills today announced that the team has agreed to terms on a contract with fullback Sam Gash. In accordance with club policy, terms were not disclosed.
Gash, 34, spent two seasons with the Bills (1998 & '99) and made the Pro Bowl in each season. Originally drafted in the eighth round by the New England Patriots in 1991, Gash has played in 161 total games with 68 starts.

Gash back with the Bills [5:35 PM]Empire - Morrison reports:
FB Sam Gash is returning to Buffalo as he has agreed to terms on a contract with the Bills. Gash was with the team in 1998 and '99 and was a Pro Bowl performer during his previous tour of duty with the team. Gash will compete with returnee Philip Crosby for the startign spot at fullback. Last year's starter, Larry Centers, was recently released by the squad.

Inside Dish: Tillman planning NFL return after military duty [5:35 PM]Spotrtingnews reports:
Part of the agreement between the Bills and run-stuffing DT Sam Adams is that Adams will participate in the team's offseason program. This is significant because Adams, who played for the Raiders last season, never has been considered a great workout guy. Adams, whose weight is estimated to be about 350, has told the Bills he wants to lose weight and make a life change so he can be healthy when his playing days are over. . . .

First Annual Bills Alumni Bowling Tournament [4:28 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
On Saturday, March 29th the Buffalo Bills Alumni hosted their First Annual Alumni Bowling Tournament. Well over $10,000 was raised and will be donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo. Celebrity bowlers such as Jim Kelly, Steve Tasker and Pat Williams were among the participants. Photo Gallery

Win a trip to NYC to see the Bills Draft LIVE [12:53 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
Enter to win a trip for two (2) from Buffalo to New York City to watch the NFL Draft at Madison Square Garden on April 26th, courtesy of the Buffalo Bills and JetBlue. Winner will be notified on or about April 21st, 2003. Click on the Big Box in the upper right hand corner of Buffalobills.com

2003 NFL Draft: Mock Draft Picks [9:41 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
The NFL Draft is scheduled for April 26 & 27th. That doesn't mean it's too early to take a look at some projections for the Bills. Buffalobills.com has searched the internet and flipped through numerous draft publications to compile a list of mock draft picks for the Buffalo Bills.